Using a scale from 0 to 10, residents rated the importance they felt should be placed on a range of topics concerning their community. These priorities varied from health care to the economy and public schools to community services.
Residents of Dutchess County have remained fairly consistent in their priorities since 2002. Many of the issues they considered to be major concerns continue to rank at the top of the list. Making health care more affordable is now their top priority with an average rating of 8.0. Dutchess County residents are also still very concerned about the retention of businesses. Keeping businesses in the area is now the second priority for county residents also receiving an average score of 8.0. Improving the quality of public schools continues to be a major goal among residents although it is no longer one of the two leading issues.
There have been two noticeable changes in how Dutchess County residents rank priorities for their community since 2002. Following regional trends, county residents are much more concerned about taxes than they were five years ago. The average score for reducing taxes as a priority has risen, and it is now the sixth ranked issue among county residents. In 2002, it ranked eleventh.
Secondly, Dutchess County ranks providing services for senior citizens lower among county residents’ list of priorities. While there has been no change in the average rating for this issue it is no longer among the top five issues.
